[CAUT] Performance piano usage

[Don McKechnie]

Craig,

>1. Does your institution have guidelines for usage of performance pianos and
>if so, how are they implemented or enforced?  (If a document exists which
>you could share, please feel free to email it to me privately).
>  
>

We do not have any formal guidelines I'm aware of, just a long 
entrenched system. The concert/recital halls are controlled by our 
concert manager. She has been here a long time and runs a fairly tight 
ship. The faculty and students may try to pull a fast one on her but 
they rarely get away with it.

> 
>1. Who has keys to your best concert pianos (assuming they are locked or
>access to the room is restricted)?
>  
>

The concert manager and performance faculty have keys. The concert 
manager signs out keys to students for recital rehearsals. Some times it 
is hard to get the keys back from the students.

After several years of having keys go on a permanent walkabout I change 
the locks. This helps keep down the amount of unofficial piano use. Last 
year I changed to the "Hands Off" fallboard clamp. Too many of the old 
padlock and fallboard clamps took a walk.  I attached 3/16" braided 
steel cable to the Hands Off lock and padlocked that to the old clamp 
ring underneath the keybed on the bass side. The keys to the padlock are 
limited to myself, the concert manager and the stage crew key ring. The 
new lock dangles underneath the keybed but is not in the way for 
rehearsals. Easily removed for concerts.

> 
>1. How much rehearsal time is allowed for performance majors giving a
>recital?
>  
>
About 4 hours I believe. Two rehearsals.

> 
>1. How do you control or limit time of piano use for evening and late-night
>rehearsals?
>  
>
Due to the amount of classes, rehearsals, performances, etc. everyone is 
limited to some degree by the next person/group coming in. Of course 
there will be some who take advantage of extra time if no one comes in 
after time is up. Not much that can be done about that. At some point, 
the custodians kick out students when the building is closed.

> 
>1. Approximately how many hours a week is your best piano played?
>  
>
Varies a lot. Rough guess is anywhere from 10 to 40 hours per week.

> 
>1. In your opinion, what is the distinction between ³rehearsal² and
>³practice²? 
>

We make the distinction that there will be no practicing on the concert 
instruments. They are for rehearsal and performance only.

IC does not have a perfect system but it works for the most part. I have 
to constantly remind the faculty of the need to take care of the 
instruments and TEACH their students to do the same. It is a constant 
struggle to get people to lock and cover the pianos when they are 
finished. We just got a new D last month and it already has battle 
scars. What are you gonna do!

Don McKechine
Ithaca College